Skip to primary navigationSkip to main contentSkip to footer
  • Our StoreToggle Our Store Menu
    • Our Store
    • Gold Buying Guide
    • IJO Master Jewelers
    • Policies
  • EducationToggle Jewelry Education Menu
    • Jewelry Education
    • Diamond Education
      • The Four Cs of Diamonds
      • Diamond Buying Tips
    • Choosing the Ring
    • Learn About Gemstones
      • Birthstone Guide
      • Gemstone Guide
    • Precious Metals
    • Jewelry Care
      • Caring for Fine Jewelry
      • Diamond Cleaning
      • Gemstone Cleaning
    • Anniversary Guide
    • Gold Buying Guide
  • Contact
  • SearchToggle Toolbar Search Menu
  • AccountToggle My Account Menu
  • My Wish ListToggle My Wish List
J. Howard Jewelers logo
  • My Wish ListToggle My Wishlist
  • Custom
  • Engagement
    • Search Diamonds
    • Find the Perfect Setting
    • Shop Engagement Rings
    • Custom Band Creator
    • Diamond Education
  • Collections
    • Berco Jewelry Co.
    • Christopher Designs
    • Citizen
    • IDD
    • Imperial Pearls
    • Jewelry Innovations
    • Le Vian
    • Overnight
    • Pandora
    • Royal Chain
    • Seiko
    • Stuller
  • Jewelry
    • Lab Grown Diamonds
    • Pearl Jewelry
    • Alternative Metal Jewelry
    • Engagement and Weddings
        Diamond Engagement RingsDiamond Bridal RingsDiamond Wraps and GuardsDiamond Anniversary RingsWomen's Diamond Wedding BandsAlternative Wedding BandsWomen's Gold Wedding BandsMen's Diamond Wedding BandsMen's Gold Wedding Bands
    • Rings
        Silver Rings Without StonesWomen's Diamond Fashion RingsWomen's Colored Stone RingsPearl Rings
    • Earrings
        Pandora JewelryDiamond EarringsColored Stone EarringsPearl EarringsGold EarringsSilver Earrings
    • Colored Diamond Jewelry
        Colored Diamonds
    • Pendants
        Diamond PendantsColored Stone PendantsPearl Pendants
    • Necklaces
        Diamond NecklacesColored Stone NecklacesPearl Necklaces
    • Bracelets
        Diamond BraceletsColored Stone BraceletsPearl BraceletsGold BraceletsSilver Bracelets
    • Charms
        Gold Pendants / CharmsSilver Charms
    • Chain Necklaces
        Gold Chain NecklacesSilver Chain Necklaces
    • Men's Jewelry
        Men's Diamond Fashion RingsMen's Colored Stone Rings
    • Estate Jewelry
    • Gift Items
    • Watches
        Women's Pulsar WatchesMen's Pulsar WatchesLadies Seiko WatchesGents Citizen WatchesLadies Citizen Watches
    • Qalo Silicone Bands
    • Gents Seiko Watches
  • Pandora
  • Diamonds
  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Metals

Learn About Metals

Metals

There are many different metal types that are used to make jewelry, and we've listed some popular metal types below.

  •  Yellow Gold
  •  White Gold
  •  Rose Gold
  •  Platinum
  •  Palladium
  •  Silver
  •  Cobalt
  •  Tungsten
  •  Titanium

Yellow Gold is an alloy made of a mixture of pure gold and either zinc and copper. The higher the karat amount, the more pure the gold.

Style Information:

  • Has that classic “Gold” look
  • Pairs great with Garnets and Diamonds
  • Can be softer or easier to break depending on purity

Mohs Scale:

  • 18k 2.8 hardness level
  • 14k 3.5 to 4 hardness level

White Gold is a form of gold with a distinct pale white or cream color; its an alloy of gold and at least one white metal; either nickel, manganese, or palladium, which typically makes up apprx 10% of the alloy.

Style Information:

  • Goes great with Diamonds
  • Cheaper alternative to Platinum
  • Commonly 9-1 gold to nickel

Mohs Scale:

  • 18k 2.8 hardness level
  • 14k 3.5 to 4 hardness level

Rose Gold has a “rose” tint from the gold-copper alloy that composes it. It is also known as “pink gold” and “red gold”, and historically was very popular in Russian, which has also earned it the name “Russian Gold”, though it is far and away most well known as Rose Gold.

Style Information:

  • Highest Karat version is known as “Crown Gold”
  • Pairs great with colored stones
  • Currently trending

Mohs Scale:

  • 18k 2.75 hardness level
  • 14k 3 to 4 hardness level

Platinum is a metal that is incredibly resistant to corrosion, even at high temperatures. Apart from jewelry, Platinum is used in the treatment of cancer. Because of its white color, it will not cast any tinting on any stones that are used.

Style Information:

  • An alternative to Silver, White Gold or Palladium
  • One of the least reactive metals
  • Heaviest of the precious metals

Mohs Scale:

  • 4 to 4.5 hardness level

Palladium is a beautiful silvery-white metal that resembles Platinum. This metal has become much more valued in recent years and is used in a pure form in jewelry, and for combining with gold to form white-gold alloys. Because of its near white coloring, it will not cast any tinting on any stones it is used with.

Style Information:

  • An alternative to Platinum or Silver
  • Does not tarnish under normal conditions
  • Used as an early treatment for tuberculosis

Mohs Scale:

  • 4.75 hardness level

Silver is one of the cornerstone precious metals, silver has long been used in jewelry, currency, and investment bullion. It is extremely malleable and pairs beautifully with most stones.

Style Information:

  • Silver has been used as early as 3000 BCE
  • Very affordable
  • Associated with the ability to stop paranormal creatures such as vampires or werewolves

Mohs Scale:

  • 2.5 to 3 hardness level

Cobalt is a silver-grey highly magnetic metal, cobalt is used primarily in alloy compounds used in wear-resistant men’s wedding bands. Cobalt can appear blue-hued in the correct light.

Style Information:

  • Cobalt pigments, specifically the blue, have been used for thousands of years
  • The Democratic Republic of Congo currently extracts about 40% of the world's cobalt supply each year
  • The name Cobalt comes from the German word kobold, meaning “goblin ore”

Mohs Scale:

  • 5 hardness level

Tungsten has the highest boiling point and strongest tensile strength, which means it is nearly impossible to scratch, though under extreme force it will shatter. It is naturally steel grey and has a subdued look.

Style Information:

  • Production of tungsten is difficult due to its high melting point
  • Because of its conductive and anti-corrosion properties, tungsten is often used to make electrical wiring
  • Tungsten is the heaviest of all elements known to play a biological role

Mohs Scale:

  • Tungsten: 7.5 hardness level
  • Tungsten carbide: 8.5 to 9 hardness level

Titanium is an extremely versatile metal that is resistant to most types of corrosion. It’s value stems from its strength-to-density ratio, the highest amongst any metallic elements.

Style Information:

  • Extremely valuable in machinery
  • Very difficult to bend
  • Titanium is used in a variety of surgical implants and tools, as it is not likely for the body to reject it

Mohs Scale:

  • 6 hardness level
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
J. Howard Jewelers
J. Howard Jewelers
1210 James Avenue
Bedford, IN 47421
(812) 277-8000
Store Information
Hours
Mon - Fri:10:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday:10:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Jewelry
  • Lab Grown Diamonds
  • Pearl Jewelry
  • Alternative Metal Jewelry
  • Engagement and Weddings
  • Rings
  • Earrings
  • Colored Diamond Jewelry
  • Pendants
  • Necklaces
  • Bracelets
  • Charms
  • Chain Necklaces
  • Men's Jewelry
  • Estate Jewelry
  • Gift Items
  • Watches
  • Qalo Silicone Bands
  • Gents Seiko Watches
  • Gemological Institute of America
  • Independent Jewelers Organization

© 2025 J. Howard Jewelers. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.

Learn how we use cookies in our Privacy Policy or manage cookie preferences.